Definition
Watery stools are a form of diarrhea. It is generally referred to as diarrhea if the bowels are emptied several times a day (usually more than three times a day). The bowel movement also has a thin consistency, as more water is excreted than normal.
Diarrhea is a very common occurrence. In most cases the symptoms subside quickly by themselves. If this is not the case, the cause should be clarified.
Basically, the causes can be infectious or non-infectious. Long-lasting diarrhea can lead to a disturbed water balance and thus also to a disturbed electrolyte balance. Under certain circumstances, this can lead to a life-threatening condition, which is why persistent symptoms should definitely be clarified.
What are the causes of watery bowel movements?
The causes of watery bowel movements can generally be divided into infectious causes and non-infectious causes. The infectious causes can be viral pathogens (for example noroviruses). These can lead to a gastrointestinal infection, which is accompanied by watery diarrhea.
In most cases, the symptoms begin abruptly and are often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Bacterial pathogens, such as Campylobacter, can also be responsible for a gastrointestinal infection. They are among the most common bacterial diarrhoea pathogens in Germany.
Salmonella, yersinia or cholera bacteria can also potentially lead to watery diarrhoea. Among the non-infectious causes, watery stools can occur as a complication of mental stress, for example. The symptoms should subside within a few hours or days.
If there are persistent symptoms, they should be clarified, as there is also a risk of electrolyte shifts. If the symptoms have existed for a longer period of time or occur more frequently, chronic diseases should also be considered. These include, for example, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, but also food intolerances.
An intolerance, for example, means that certain foods are not properly digested and can subsequently lead to watery diarrhea. In rare cases, poisoning can also be the cause of watery bowel movements. These are usually fungal poisoning or incorrect intake of medication (for example, due to an overdose).
Cholera is a diarrhoea disease caused by bacteria. The transmission of the bacteria usually takes place through faecally contaminated food or contaminated water. Due to the very good hygienic measures the disease is relatively rare in Germany.
If an infection with the pathogen takes place, the disease progresses to 90% in a mild form. In most cases there are not even symptoms. In about 10% of cases, however, it can be a severe form of the disease and very severe watery diarrhea occurs. These usually have a slimy consistency and are often referred to as rice water stool. Since a lot of water is excreted in a short time, the cause should be treated with antibiotics as soon as possible.